Many Americans were glad when Trump turned down the Saudi crown prince’s desperate telephone plea for the Americans to bomb the Houthis. They remembered how Saudi Arabia had denied the American air force permission to use the bases it had been using in Saudi Arabia to attack Iran. And the Saudi request for help is […]
Iranian pilgrims at hajj scream ‘Death to America,’ ‘America is the enemy of Allah’
These are not just culture-specific expressions of rage and hatred. These are indications of how the Iranians, or at least the supporters of Iran’s Islamic regime, view their conflict with the United States. They see it as a religious conflict, which is the one aspect of it that State Department analysts, and virtually everyone else […]
Saudi Arabia rewards 1000 Palestinian jihadis with free Mecca pilgrimage
Much talk has circulated about Saudi Arabia reforming, but this increasingly appears to be more to wishful thinking from Westerners than a genuine reflection of what is really happening inside the country. Saudi Arabia is, in fact, reportedly becoming more true to its Wahhabi origins, rife with gross human rights abuses and now rewards for […]
Khamenei calls for unity of Muslim ummah to defend Gaza and Yemen ahead of this year’s hajj
The 2025 hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is expected to be from June 4 to June 9. In advance of it, the highest figure in Shia Islam, Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “says it is imperative on Muslim countries to unite and prevent tribulations similar to what is befalling on Gazans and the people of Yemen.” The […]
Saudis detain woman for displaying ‘Palestinian’ flag in front of Ka’aba in Mecca
Saudi detain a woman for displaying a Palestinian flag in front of Ka'aba in Mecca. pic.twitter.com/1bWOM6vvgo — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) February 24, 2024 The rest of the Islamic world knows what the “Palestinians” are all about.
Iraq: Sadr claims that the Quran burnings are evidence of imminent attacks on Mecca and Medina
“He did not give any evidence for his claims,” because there isn’t any. He is just trying to rile his followers and keep them in a state of rage that will enable him to manipulate them further. “Iraq’s Sadr warns of attacks in Mecca, other Islamic sites after Quran burnings,” The New Arab, August 2, […]
Israel Tries to Make Haj Trip Less Burdensome For Israeli Arabs and Palestinians
Since at least 2022, when Yair Lapid was Prime Minister, Israel been trying to persuade the Saudis to allow direct flights from Israel to Saudi Arabia for Israeli Arabs and Palestinians wanting to make the Haj. Making the Haj — which includes, most memorably, walking seven times widdershins round the Magic Wonderstone — is the […]
Saudi Arabia: Man arrested after claiming to have performed Mecca umrah pilgrimage for Queen Elizabeth
“It is not for the prophet and those who believe to pray for the forgiveness of idolaters, even though they may be near relatives, after it has become clear that they are companions of the blaze.” (Qur’an 9:113) “Man arrested after claiming Mecca pilgrimage for queen,” AFP, September 13, 2022: Riyadh (AFP) – Saudi authorities have […]
That Stupid Stunt In Mecca
An Israeli reporter thought it would be great fun to sneak in Mecca and take selfies of himself among a million Muslims making the Hajj. A brief Jihad Watch report is here, and a full report on the reporter’s idea of amusement, and the response it predictably elicited among Arabs and other Muslims, is here: […]
Saudi Arabia: Man helps non-Muslim journalist reach Mecca, is arrested
A hadith depicts Muhammad saying: “I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but Muslim.” (Sahih Muslim 19.4366) That there was any controversy over this incident, and that this man was arrested, are reminders of how seriously the Saudis take such teachings. Does anyone really think they […]